Support for a receptacle block of a unit under test

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for supporting a receptacle block in a device testing a unit under test. The unit under test includes the receptacle block, which has one or more receptacles electrically coupled to components of the unit under test. A support includes a plurality of supporting surfaces that are respectively positioned at different depths. A positioning mechanism positions the support behind a receptacle block.

1. For a device testing a unit under test, an apparatus for supporting a receptacle block, the unit under test including the receptacle block, the receptacle block having one or more receptacles for electrically coupling to components of the unit under test, the device having at least one connector that moves toward the receptacle block and engages the receptacles, said apparatus comprising:
 a support comprising a plurality of supporting surfaces respectively positioned at different depths; 
 a positioning mechanism for positioning said support behind the receptacle block at least while the at least one connector is not engaged with the one or more receptacles; 
 wherein said support comprises a plurality of steps respectively positioned at different depths and heights, each of the plurality of steps including at least one of the supporting surfaces. 
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of steps comprises at least three steps, and wherein the plurality of steps are respectively spaced at a substantially constant interval. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the supporting surfaces have a substantially vertical orientation. 
   
   
     4. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein each of the plurality of steps further comprise a substantially horizontal surface. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said positioning mechanism is configured to lower said support until at least one of the horizontal surfaces contacts the receptacle block. 
   
   
     6. The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the horizontal surface engages a top rear edge of the receptacle block when said support is in position. 
   
   
     7. The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein when said support is in position, one of the at least one supporting surfaces is in position to engage the top rear edge of the receptacle block when the receptacle block is deflected in response to the connectors engaging receptacles of the receptacle block. 
   
   
     8. The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said positioning mechanism comprises a member rigidly mounted to a part of the device that moves at least partially in a downward direction so that the positioning mechanism moves with the part of the device. 
   
   
     9. The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said positioning mechanism further includes a sliding mechanism coupled to the member and to said support, wherein said support is slidingly coupled to the member. 
   
   
     10. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the sliding mechanism comprises at least one pin, wherein the pin slides within the member. 
   
   
     11. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said positioning mechanism further comprises a biasing mechanism disposed between the member and said support to bias said support in the downward direction. 
   
   
     12. The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said biasing mechanism comprises a spring disposed about one or more of the at least one pin. 
   
   
     13. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said support comprises an angled surface, wherein the plurality of supporting surfaces are positioned respectively at various depths along the angled surface. 
   
   
     14. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said support comprises an angled surface having at least one of angled steps, toothed protrusions, rounded protrusions and ridges. 
   
   
     15. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said support comprises an arm pivotable to a position behind the receptacle block. 
   
   
     16. The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said positioning mechanism comprises a base pivotably coupled to said support and configured to be rigidly mounted to a portion of the device. 
   
   
     17. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle block is mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) that is retained in a fixed position by the device, and wherein said positioning mechanism positions said support without positioning the receptacle block. 
   
   
     18. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support comprises at least three separate supporting surfaces, and wherein the at least separate supporting surfaces progressively increase in depth and decrease in height when said support is positioned behind the receptacle block. 
   
   
     19. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said positioning mechanism is configured and arranged to position said support behind the receptacle block without the at least one connector engaging the receptacles. 
   
   
     20. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle block has a plurality of receptacles for engaging a plurality of connectors. 
   
   
     21. A fixture for use in testing a unit under test, the unit under test including a receptacle block having one or more receptacles for electrically coupling to components of the unit under test, the test fixture comprising:
 at least one connector configured to electrically couple to testing circuits for testing the unit under test; 
 an actuator configured to selectively move the at least one connector toward the receptacle block; 
 a support for supporting the receptacle block, said support comprising a plurality of supporting surfaces that are positioned respectively at different depths; 
 a positioning mechanism for positioning said support behind the receptacle block before the at least one connector engages the one or more receptacles; 
 wherein said support comprises a plurality of steps respectively positioned at different depths and heights, each of the plurality of steps including at least one of the supporting surfaces; 
 wherein the supporting surfaces have a substantially vertical orientation; 
 wherein each of the plurality of steps further comprise a substantially horizontal surface; 
 wherein said positioning mechanism is configured to lower said support until at least one of the substantially horizontal surfaces contacts the receptacle block. 
 
   
   
     22. The fixture of  claim 21  wherein said positioning mechanism comprises a member that moves at least partially in a downward direction. 
   
   
     23. The fixture of  claim 22  wherein said positioning mechanism further includes a sliding mechanism coupled to the member and to said support, wherein said support is slidingly coupled to the member. 
   
   
     24. The fixture of  claim 22  wherein said positioning mechanism further comprises a biasing mechanism disposed between the member and said support to bias said support in the downward direction. 
   
   
     25. The fixture of  claim 24  wherein one of the substantially horizontal surfaces engages a top rear edge of the receptacle block when said support is in position. 
   
   
     26. For a device testing a unit under test, an apparatus for supporting a receptacle block, the unit under test including the receptacle block, the receptacle block having one or more receptacles for electrically coupling to components of the unit under test, the device having at least one connector that moves toward the receptacle block and engages the one or more receptacles, said apparatus comprising:
 a support comprising a plurality of supporting surfaces respectively positioned at different depths; 
 means for positioning said support behind the receptacle block before the at least one connector engages the one or more receptacles; 
 wherein said support comprises a plurality of steps respectively positioned at different depths and heights, each of the plurality of steps including at least one of the supporting surfaces; 
 wherein each of the plurality of steps includes a vertical surface and a horizontal surface; 
 wherein said means for positioning is configured to lower said support until at least one of the horizontal surfaces of said support contacts the receptacle block. 
 
   
   
     27. The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein said support comprises angle angled surface having at least one of angled steps, toothed protrusions, rounded protrusions and ridges.